Crafts, contests and music at Railfest

The 12th annual Railfest will bring a taste of railroad food, memorabilia, storytelling, Appalachian music and dance, and special train excursions to downtown Bryson City Sept. 13-15.

This year’s Railfest coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which organizes the festival and hosts it at the train depot.

The craft fair starts up at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Heritage Alive Mountain Youth Talent Contest will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, followed by the Ammons Sisters, J.Creek Cloggers and the Ross Brothers, Lonesome Sound and Dusk Weaver with youth bluegrass musicians. Sunday’s music line-up starts at 11 a.m. with Children of Zion followed by The Queen Family and Lonesome Sound again.

Special train excursions include a Friday night “Wet Your Whistle” invitational train excursion. Special excursions will be offered on a steam engine Saturday and Sunday.

Returning again will be a special collection of motorcars that will be brought by their owner to Bryson City. These track cars were formerly used on railroads to inspect track and carry track gangs and their tools out to work zones. The cars are now privately owned and used to ride on short line railroads nationwide. Various rides on these unique motorcars will be available during the festival.